Key Skills

Job Description

Job Requirements Minimum 5 years of experience in a leadership role within a manufacturing environment Experience with machining and precision manufacturing processes (plastics, metal, or wood) Proven experience managing multiple teams or team leaders Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Operational Excellence, and continuous improvement methodologies Experience working with ERP systems and KPI-driven operations Fluent in both Dutch and English Soft Skills Natural leadership skills with the ability to guide teams through change Decisive and capable of setting priorities in a fast-paced environment Strong coaching and people development capabilities Analytical and solution-oriented mindset Structured, organized, and focused on results Strong collaboration and stakeholder management skills Takes ownership and accountability for both team and business performance Job Description HQ Plastics is continuing to grow, creating the need for an Operations Manager who can bring structure, stability, and further professionalization to the production organization. In this role, you will be responsible for daily operational performance while helping shape the future of the business. We are looking for someone who understands manufacturing from the shop floor up. Experience within plastics machining is a strong advantage, but candidates from metal or wood machining environments will also be considered. As Operations Manager, you are responsible for the overall performance of the production organization. You ensure that safety, quality, delivery reliability, and efficiency targets are achieved on a daily basis. While KPIs are important, your success will largely come from your ability to lead and develop people. You will manage the Shift Leaders and maintain a strong presence on the production floor. You know when to coach, when to challenge, and when to make clear decisions. Together with your team, you will ensure a stable operation while continuously improving processes, collaboration, and performance. In addition to daily operational management, you will be a member of the management team. You will contribute to discussions around growth, capacity planning, investments, and workforce development. You identify operational risks early and translate strategic objectives into practical actions within the organization. Success in this position means creating an operation that is in control, where employees understand expectations, and where improvements are implemented and sustained. Your Responsibilities Lead the production organization through the Team Leaders Drive and improve KPIs related to Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost Coach, develop, and evaluate team leaders within the operation Manage capacity, workforce planning, and resource allocation Initiate and implement Lean and Operational Excellence improvement projects Identify operational risks and develop improvement and growth plans Contribute actively to the management team and the continued development of HQ Plastics Your team You will work closely with Shift Leaders, Quality, Production Planning, Engineering, and the management team. Indirectly, you will be responsible for a sizeable group of production employees across the operation. The team is characterized by a practical and hands-on approach. People communicate openly, take responsibility, and support each other when needed. As the organization continues to grow, not every process is fully mature yet. This creates opportunities to improve and professionalize, but it also requires someone who can introduce structure and successfully guide change. New colleagues often describe the culture as approachable, down-to-earth, and committed to craftsmanship. You will have the freedom to bring your own vision to operations, provided it contributes to a safe, stable, and future-proof manufacturing environment. If this role aligns with your experience and you have a background in a machining-based production environment, we would be happy to start a conversation and explore whether HQ Plastics is the right next step for you. We create to protect

Core Responsibilities

Lead the production organization through its team leaders, ensuring daily performance across safety, quality, delivery, and cost while managing capacity and workforce resources. Develop people, implement continuous improvement initiatives, identify operational risks, and contribute to growth and investment decisions as a member of the management team.

Requirements

Requires at least five years of leadership experience in manufacturing, with experience in machining or precision manufacturing and managing multiple teams or team leaders. Candidates should have strong knowledge of Lean and operational excellence, experience with ERP systems and KPI-driven operations, and fluency in Dutch and English.